Our View: Granville should vote yes for continued school success

As in most desirable communities, people in Granville largely say they move there because of the local schools.

The district this fall is asking its residents to approve an income tax to ensure the schools remain excellent. By almost every measure the district excels in educating its students.

We believe the issue deserves the village's support.

Granville voters in the spring rejected a proposed 1.25 percent earned income tax. In response, school officials met extensively with the community to discuss what type of plan is best.

They have chosen a 0.75 percent all-income tax that would include a 5 percent reduction in the school's property tax levy. We believe this is a good change.

According to Superintendent Jeff Brown, half of the seniors in Granville earn more than $100,000 in retirement income, and he said many have expressed a willingness to support the schools. Despite its name, an all-income tax does not tax Social Security. It would raise nearly $5 million annually.

The district was also correct to only ask for the tax for five years initially. The district has become a proponent in pushing for increased commercial development to give it a more diverse tax base to support the schools. Should the levy pass, it would be appropriate to reexamine what level of tax is needed in five years.

Voters could decide they don't want to pay more taxes, but they should know that such a decision means they will get worse-performing local schools. The district is already deficit spending, and without additional money would likely be forced to make drastic cuts.

We believe ensuring the stability of the school will ensure the future stability of the village. Voters should keep Granville a place where people want to move.